Sunday, October 9, 2011

Presbyterian church ordains first openly gay pastor in Madison

 (Excerpt)
MADISON, (WKOW) -- The Presbyterian Church has officially ordained a 56-year-old Wisconsin man as its first openly gay minister.

Scott Anderson of Madison was ordained Saturday at Covenant Presbyterian Church during a ceremony attended by hundreds of supporters.

He said he never thought the day would come in his lifetime.

"This moment allows me to live with integrity with the people I care about, with the church I care about," he said.

    "It all comes down to how Christians interpret the Bible: as the literal, timeless word of God, or a metaphorical guidebook set in the context of its time.
Anderson believes the latter and does not see homosexuality as a sin.
"We're looking at that ancient document, or set of documents, in light of a whole new set of cultural circumstances that simply were not part of the biblical world. I grew up with the sense that God is a loving God and accepts each of us unconditionally," said Anderson.
Nobody really knows the answer so the question remains, putting churches across America in a tough position."

My Response 

I think this is just another sign of the times. The Bible says: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Timothy 4:2-4)
  What Anderson says about " We're looking at that ancient document, or set of documents, in light of a whole new set of cultural circumstances that simply were not part of the biblical world...." is clearly a fable!!! 
 Sin (including homosexuality) was just as much of an offense to a Holy God now, as it is was then. In fact, God judged the cities of Sodom (from where we get the word "to sodomize") and Gomorrah because of the rampant sexual immorality there.  In Genesis 19:4-5 it says: " Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house.  They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” Also in chapter 18 of Genesis: "And the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave; (verse 20) also: "But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD;" (Genesis 13:13)
 For Anderson to say that circumstances were different in the biblical world, is just him twisting God's timeless Word to excuse his lifestyle. 1 Corinthians 6:8-10 makes it very clear about continuing to live out a sinful lifestyle (including homosexuality): "No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Anderson is right about one thing though: God is loving! But to leave out God's other characteristics: His Holiness, His Justice, His Wrath...is for Anderson to break the second commandment and misrepresent God and to make a god out of his own imagination, not the true biblical God!
 What is required for a man to be a pastor?  At least for him to have openly confessed Christ as his Savior and repented of his sinful lifestyle. No man is fit for the ministry if he is living a lifestyle contrary to what the Bible teaches. 
Regarding the quote from the article: "Nobody really knows the answer so the question remains, putting churches across America in a tough position." ..."  I couldn't disagree more! The Bible couldn't be more clear on the sin of homosexuality. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 
( 2 Timothy 3:16-17) The problem is, with our postmodern culture who doesn't believe in absolute Truth! Men and women of God need to stand firm in God's Truth, take courage, and take a stand for Christ!    In Christ -Dustin


Additional Resources on the Topic:
1. http://www.gty.org/resources/Articles/A170/Gods-Plan-for-the-Gay-Agenda#.TpEpBHKLNpU
2. http://exodusinternational.org/2010/01/what-is-gay-theology/#.TpEqn3KLOto

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